Chapter 3: Doing It Right

Gabriella tapped her kitten-heeled foot against the wooden floor, the contact making a clicking sound every time it hit the hard surface. She shifted in her seat, a stained, wooden chair, trying to get out of the uncomfortable position she had been in for nearly half-an-hour.

Gabriella glanced around the small coffee shop, noticing many other college students pouring over materials that were spread freely across an assortment of tables and chairs. Sighing, she couldn't help but think that she would rather be at her dorm, studying the topics from her up and coming exam.

She should've known Troy would bail on her. Tenish? It's ten thirty…She let out a long breath and leaned back in her chair. Why had she even agreed to doing this? She knew it would be hard…sitting there with him so close she could reach out and touch him…and knowing she couldn't have him. But then wouldn't it be hard for him as well? She thought, remembering those moments years ago when he would just pull her close whenever she was near.

"Gabi?"

Her eyes shot open at the sound of her name. "Hi Troy…" she muttered, clearly annoyed with his bluntness.

"Sorry I was late…Karissa was just being, well Karissa…" he sat down opposite her, his eyes boring into her tiny frame.

Gabriella blinked. She wasn't going to let him get to her. "Yeah…" Yeah? That's all you can come up with? C'mon…get back at him! Say something that-

Troy interrupted her thoughts, "So, how've you been?" he grinned at her, and Gabriella could feel herself melt at the warmness of his ocean blue eyes…the familiarity of his smile…

"Fine," she stared down at her hands.

Troy nodded, looking awkwardly around the coffee shop. Gabriella could see him brush the hair away from his forehead uncomfortably, and felt a twinge of pain in knowing she was causing him the discomfort. But she pushed away the feeling. He hurt me, remember?

"Listen, Gabi, let me get right to the point," Troy leaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows on the table between them. Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke carefully and tenderly, "When I saw you at the restaurant, I was…stunned. I mean, I was glad! It was like something clicked and I felt like I needed to talk to you again…" he sighed, looking down at the table. "But then when Karissa spoke, I realized that if I told the truth…my relationship with her might falter…"

"Troy, I get it. You didn't want to have to explain the whole truth. Its fine, whatever," she somewhat glared at him, but once again that look in his eyes softened the harshness of her glance.

"No, I feel awful. I should've told her. And I realize that…you may think that me not wanting to tell her the truth is a sign of a bad relationship but…" he tried to catch her eye, but she looked away.

"Troy, Its fine…I don't think that…" but her voice was unsure. The truth was, she did feel like that. It was this gut feeling that she had whenever she replayed the evening's events over in her mind.

Was it jealousy? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that whenever he talked about Karissa…which was barely twice…Gabriella felt as if she wanted to keel over and throw up. She barely knew the girl, but those feelings kept coming even at the thought of her.

"I know you do, Gabi…" his voice was soft and soothing. "Its fine…I-maybe you're right. Our relationship isn't necessarily the best…" he trailed off and his gaze left hers for the distance.

"Well, are you going to tell her? About us-the past, I mean…" she fiddled with the bracelet that hung loosely on her wrist.

Troy looked back at her, "I-I-," he paused and sighed, "I don't know…"

Gabriella frowned. There was an uncomfortable silence for the pair as Gabriella rubbed her eyes.

"Listen, Gabi, you know what? I think I will…tell her, I mean…" Troy did his best to sound as confident and determined as possible.

Gabriella looked up at him, "This isn't a charity drive, Troy. You shouldn't tell her just because I want you to." Her eyes were full of anger as she spoke.

Troy looked hurt, "I know…" he muttered.

"Well, I think I should go…" Gabriella stood up and grabbed her canvas bag that lay beside her on the floor. However, Troy stood up as well and as she brushed past him, he grabbed her arm.

"No, please. Gabi…I lost you once before, can we just try to become friends?"

The last word stabbed her in the heart. All she wanted to say was "No. The thing is, Troy, I want to be more than friends with you…" But she didn't. Instead, she glanced up at him, her mind set on sending him a harsh glare.

But her heart wouldn't let her. As she looked into his eyes, all she could see was the sadness that lingered in the pools of blue that were staring back at her. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply, and nodded. "I guess we can try," she forced a tiny smile.

Troy grinned, "Good…can I have your number? Maybe we can set up a lunch date or something and Karissa could join us?"

Gabriella gulped, but nodded and pulled out a pen and a piece of ripped paper from her bag. She scribbled down the number and waved as she left.

But as the brisk air greeted her, Gabriella felt a single tear drip down her cheek.

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"Molly, I need help," Gabriella plopped down on her bed in her dorm of which she shared with nobody. The phone to her ear, she waited for her friend to respond.

"Gabi, what's wrong?" Molly sounded genuinely worried.

"I think I still love him…" Gabriella started, the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks for the third time that day.

And then she told Molly the whole story, starting from New Year's at the ski lodge to the recent afternoon. She told her of the break-up, the regret, the pain she felt when she saw him and his girlfriend…the anger that had bottled up inside of her for no apparent reason.

"Yeah, its not like you to get angry…" Molly responded as Gabriella finished rambling, "But…" she paused, and Gabriella could tell she was deep in thought, "That anger…you've had so much with him. He was your first love…isn't it true you never stop loving your first love? But then again, you haven't really loved anyone since him so…"

"So what?" Gabriella felt anxious as to whether or not the issue was worth crying over and thinking of at all moments. Molly was the one who listened to all of her vents…from school to family issues. And Molly gave great advice, which Gabriella felt she needed some badly.

"I think you do still love him. And by his actions I wouldn't be surprised if he still loves you too…"

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AN: Good? You tell me. Haha, so I hope this one is a tad bit longer but…